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Adventure
Adventure

Chapter XII · Mr. Morgan and Mr. Raff

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Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.
Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.
While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.
They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.
She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Adventure

Chapter XII · Mr. Morgan and Mr. Raff

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.
Line 2
Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.
Line 3
While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.
Line 4
They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.
Line 5
She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.”

Sail noun US /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.”

Schooner noun US /ˈskuːnər/

a sailing ship with two or more masts

From this reading “Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.”

Sharply noun US /ˈsharply/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.”

All words in this reading · 79

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

anchor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

anomalous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

appraising

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

ashore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

awkward

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

back

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

Berande

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

boat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

bridge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

building

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

caught

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

close

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

constrained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

curiosity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

dropped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

felt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

fetch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

home

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

house-boys

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

interest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

Joan

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

looking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

Malakula

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

met

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

occupied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

plantation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

position

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

presence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

ran

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

sailor's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

sank

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

sat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/

a sailing ship with two or more masts

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

served

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

Sheldon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

soda

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

superintending

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

swinging

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

taking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

talked

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They seemed awkward and constrained in her presence, and she caught first one and then the other looking at her with secret curiosity.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

visitors

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

watched

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

weighing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading She felt that they were weighing her, appraising her, and for the first time the anomalous position she occupied on Berande sank sharply home to her.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Sheldon was back in the plantation superintending the building of a bridge, when the schooner _Malakula_ ran in close and dropped anchor.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

whisky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While one of the house-boys ran to fetch Sheldon, she had the visitors served with whisky and soda, and sat and talked with them.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Joan watched the taking in of sail and the swinging out of the boat with a sailor's interest, and herself met the two men who came ashore.